WACC-Shoreline will have new champion

Piedmont High School football players run wind sprints during a practice at Witter Field, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014, in Piedmont, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Bay Area News Group)

With two-time defending champion Tennyson High moving out of the West Alameda County Conference-Shoreline Division this season, it's guaranteed that a new champion will be crowned.

The question is, which team will step up to the challenge?

"I can't say there is a favorite. I really believe it is wide open," said San Lorenzo coach John Trotman Jr. about the division title race.

Piedmont's offense is led by junior running back Gabe Watson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. San Lorenzo quarterback Kevin Mosi has started at the position since his sophomore season.

Mt. Eden has seven returning starters on both offense and defense, including dynamic Dominic Williams. Hayward will be looking to achieve a turnaround season with a large number of returning starters.

OUTLOOK: The Hornets have experience at offensive line with returning first-team all-division pick Kelly and second-team selection Dacumos. Kelly may not be available for the opener, however, with a knee injury. Alameda also has depth at running back, with Badr as the top returner. Dizon could see action at three offensive positions -- wide receiver, running back and quarterback. The Hornets also have a sophomore quarterback in Nash replacing senior Elijah Hernandez, who did not come out for the team this year. Defensively, the line is anchored by Parsons. Sanchez, who was a first-team all-division pick at linebacker last season, is questionable to start the season after suffering a knee injury in the spring. Dizon is also a top cornerback for the Hornets.

OUTLOOK: The Dons have a deep backfield with Moala, Dawson and Tafeamalii as Arroyo looks for a turnaround from last season. "We are young. We are reloading. It is going to be a process," Sullivan said. Burns, a second-team all-division selection at offensive line last season, anchors both the offensive and defensive line this season. Other standouts defensively include linebackers Tafeamalii and Moala, and defensive backs Dawson and Gomez. The offensive line has three starters returning. DeLaTorre, who started the last five games last year, has a couple of big receiving targets in Scherrer and Brown.

OUTLOOK: The Farmers' depth, athleticism and team speed are strengths. "We have 13 or 14 guys coming back who played significant minutes last year," Redemer said. Collington leads a deep running back corps, and Hayward has two strong tight ends in Porter and Maumalanga. Montgomery and Brown are players to watch at receiver. Moi Moi runs well and throws accurately. Both the offensive and defensive lines are anchored by Togiai Aumua. Finau leads the linebackers and Johnson provides speed at defensive back.

OUTLOOK: The Monarchs graduated star quarterback Sturholm, but return proven offensive weapons in Williams, Stevenson and Remmen, who led the team in rushing last season. Williams caught 57 passes for 938 yards and 14 touchdowns. Miller, Guzman and Isais provide experience on the offensive line. "We are looking at getting some greater productivity in our running game," Perenon said. "We are still going to throw the ball within the offense." Defensive standouts include Remmen and Williams in the secondary, and Stevenson at linebacker. Mt. Eden has a young, big defensive line.

OUTLOOK: While Watson provides a major threat at running back, Gruendl "can make all of the throws. He has a big arm," Coats said. The Highlanders won the Laney Passing Tournament in May, therefore qualifying for a tournament in Indianapolis which occurred in July. Prospero leads a deep receiving corps and Burge anchors the offensive line. "Offensively, we will be a little bit more up-tempo," Coats said. Collins, Burge and Abel are top defenders for the Highlanders, who will be looking to be more aggressive and much improved with a change to their defensive system.

OUTLOOK: The Rebels' talent at the skill positions includes Mosi and an explosive back in Marshall, who also plays slot receiver. San Lorenzo is deep at running back and many players will get chances to run the ball. Wilson leads the Rebels receivers and is being recruited collegiately as a defensive back. Both of the Rebels' offensive tackles, Gonzalez and East, started last season. Gonzalez is also a top defensive lineman. Palu and Carter are a strong linebacking duo, and San Lorenzo returns four secondary starters. The Rebels lost three games by eight points or less last year, a trend they would like to see reversed. "I'm pretty excited about this group," Trotman said.